So far, Nissan's only been focusing on the diesel-powered, kinda-heavy-duty version of its 2016 Titan pickup. You know, the one with the 5.0-liter Cummins V8 with 310 horsepower and 555 pound-feet of torque. But there's more to the Titan than just the top-level XD. And for those who don't want to dish out for diesel grunt, there's only one option: a 5.6-liter naturally aspirated V8.

The old Titan used a 5.6-liter V8, but trust us, this isn't just a carryover engine. While the old truck produced just 317 hp and 385 lb-ft, the 2016 Titan's engine offers 390 hp and 401 lb-ft. A seven-speed automatic transmission will handle that power, and Nissan says the tranny features downshift rev matching. Both standard-grade Titan and XD models will be available with the 5.6-liter V8.

But this won't be the only engine on offer. When the Titan was first revealed, Nissan told us there'd be a gasoline V6 option in addition to this V8. It's still unclear exactly which engine will do work under the big truck's hood, though that new, twin-turbo V6 from the Infiniti brand seems like a good fit, especially considering Ford's success with turbocharged, six-cylinder pickups.

Indeed, there's more to tell in the Titan story. The diesel-powered XD launches this month, with the rest of the range going on sale next year.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nissan announced today that a new 5.6-liter Endurance® V8 gasoline engine, assembled in Decherd, Tennessee, will be available in the all-new TITAN and TITAN XD full-size pickup trucks, completing the first phase of the "American TITAN" story. The engine features four-valves per cylinder, Variable Valve Event & Lift and Direct Injection, and is rated at 390 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm and 401 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm.

The gasoline-powered engine joins the award-winning Cummins® 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel in early spring 2016 to round out the engine offerings for the all-new Nissan XD full-size pickup, which stakes out a unique position in the segment between traditional heavy-duty and light-duty entries. The bold new design combines the capabilities of a heavy-duty hauler with the drivability and affordability of a light-duty pickup.

"With this new engine, Nissan TITAN XD customers will have the opportunity to make the choice that is best for their towing and hauling needs – either the all-new Endurance V8 or the Cummins® diesel – two offerings that you won't find on any other truck on the market today," said Rich Miller, chief product specialist, TITAN, Nissan North America, Inc. "It's going to be a tough decision for TITAN XD customers between these two very durable, capable engines."

While the new Endurance V8 shares its displacement with the previous-generation V8 installed in Titan, that is where the similarities end. The new engine features 390 horsepower (up from 317) and 401 lb-ft of torque (up from 385), along with Nissan's advanced VVEL (Variable Valve Event & Lift) technology, which combines hydraulic-controlled variable valve timing and electronically controlled variable valve lift on the intake and exhaust sides to provide high performance and crisp response. Throttle response is enhanced by directly controlling the intake valve, rather than using the traditional method of controlling intake with a throttle valve, and valve timing and opening with non-variable camshafts.

TITAN XD models equipped with the Endurance V8 engine will be outfitted with a new 7-speed automatic, which features Adaptive Shift Control and Downshift Rev Matching.

More information on the Endurance V8 and 7-speed automatic will be available closer to its early spring 2016 on-sale date.

About TITAN XD

The all-new 2016 Nissan TITAN XD full-size pickup has been named one of three finalists for the 2016 North American Truck/Utility of the Year (NATOY) and was also recently named "Truck of Texas" by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in their annual 2015 Texas Truck Rodeo, which puts the industry's best trucks, SUVs and CUVs through a grueling two-day evaluation at the historic Knibbe Ranch in Spring Branch, Texas. In addition to the competition's top award, Truck of Texas, the new TITAN XD won three other honors – Luxury Pickup Truck of Texas, Off-Road Pickup Truck of Texas and Best Powertrain for its available Cummins® 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel engine.

The TITAN XD's long list of innovative available technologies include an Integrated Trailer Brake Controller, Trailer Sway Control (TSC), Tow/Haul Mode with Downhill Speed Control and a Trailer Light Check system that allows one-person hook-up operation – including checking turn signals, brake lights and running/clearance lights. Assisting trailer hook-ups is a RearView Monitor with Trailer Guides. TITAN XD also offers an available Around View® Monitor (AVM), which provides a unique "bird's eye" view of the surrounding area to help with parking and pulling in and out of tight spaces. The system includes Moving Object Detection (MOD). Two trailer hitches are available, including an integrated gooseneck hitch engineered into the frame and easily accessible in the bed.

Following the launch of the 2016 TITAN XD Crew Cab in December, the new TITAN will be offered in three cab configurations, two frame sizes, three powertrain offerings and five grade levels. More information on the full lineup will be available at a later date.

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